Philadelphia 76ers – Heartland Sports

Thunder Against the Spread | OKC is a Double-Digit Dog in Philly

OKC has been a double-digit underdog just once this season (against the Celtics in Boston on November 14th), and they covered easily, losing by just 4. Philadelphia blew out the Thunder just a couple of weeks ago, particularly because Joel Embiid is a matchup problem for OKC, who doesn’t have a true big man at the moment. In that game, Embiid didn’t dominate scoring the ball like he can, but he forced the Thunder defense to collapse on him, opening up shots for other guys, who knocked down threes at a high rate. OKC will have to play much better all-around defense if they want to avoid getting blown out by the Sixers yet again, but I think they’re up to the task.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #42 Preview: Philadelphia 76ers

Zachary LowJanuary 12, 2023 No Comments James Harden Joel Embiid Josh Giddey Luguentz Dort Miami Heat Oklahoma Sooners Philadelphia 76ers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Sixers are 25-15 on the season and sit at 4th in the Eastern Conference standings. These two teams met just two weeks ago on New Year’s Eve, a matchup that Philadelphia controlled easily from start to finish. OKC continues to play without a true big man, and while it has been difficult at times, the Thunder has found a way to make it work. Tonight’s task of slowing down Joel Embiid will not be an easy one, though.

Thunder Against the Spread | Expect Fireworks in OKC on NYE

Zachary LowDecember 31, 2022 No Comments James Harden Joel Embiid Oklahoma Sooners Philadelphia 76ers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

OKC has been a great cover at home so far this season. New Year’s Eve is a tradition for Thunder basketball, and as such, I expect the crowd to be excited and energetic for this one. Also, the Thunder has performed particularly well when they have been an underdog in the +3 to +6 range, going 10-2 in such games this year. Add all of that together with the fact that Philly is just 6-9 at covering on the road and 3-4 when they’re the road favorite, and I’m thinking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might have another career night to fuel OKC to a NYE victory.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #36 Preview: Philadelphia 76ers

Zachary LowDecember 31, 2022 No Comments James Harden Joel Embiid Oklahoma Sooners Philadelphia 76ers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Happy New Year’s Eve! The Oklahoma City Thunder are all set to end 2022 on a high note as they host the Philadelphia 76ers in a tradition as old as…well…the Thunder franchise. The Thunder has played at home on New Year’s Eve every season since coming to OKC, going 12-3 in such games. Tonight’s matchup is perhaps their toughest NYE game to date.

OKC Thunder | Game #55: Philadelphia 76ers

Zachary LowFebruary 11, 2022 No Comments James Harden Joel Embiid Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers

Tonight, the Thunder takes on the Sixers in Philadelphia, but Harden is not slated to play due to a sore hamstring, an injury that has bothered him at different points this season. Even without him, Philly is a tough matchup, and Joel Embiid is one monster of a nightmare for OKC, who doesn’t have a big man that can even come close to competing with him.

The Thunder Lowdown | Game #3: Shai is Fine, Don’t Doubt Dort, and Giddey is Special

Zachary LowOctober 24, 2021 No Comments Josh Giddey Luguentz Dort Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The Oklahoma City Thunder put up their best effort against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night, but the late push to keep the game close could only go so far. After trailing by 18 with 9 minutes left in the game, OKC managed to cut the deficit to 10, but that was as close as it would get before losing 115-103. The loss moves the Thunder to 0-3 on the season, and with the tough schedule ahead, it doesn’t appears as if a win may come any time soon.

Oklahoma City Thunder | Game #3 Preview: Philadelphia 76ers

Zachary LowOctober 24, 2021 No Comments Ben Simmons Danny Green Darius Bazley Isaiah Roby Joel Embiid Josh Giddey Luguentz Dort Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers Seth Curry Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Tobias Harris Tyrese Maxey

Tonight the Thunder takes on the Philadelphia 76ers in the regular season home opener, and when you take a look at the schedule for the next couple of weeks (Warriors twice, Lakers twice, Clippers once), this may be OKC’s best shot at a win. The Sixers are still missing Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid isn’t entirely healthy, and miraculously, the Thunder is just a 7.5-point underdog.

OKC Thunder | The 10 Home Games I Can’t Wait to Attend

Zachary LowAugust 21, 2021 No Comments Brooklyn Nets Chris Paul Detroit Pistons Draymond Green Golden State Warriors Ja Morant Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers Russell Westbrook Steph Curry Steven Adams

Now, as the Thunder begins their 14th season, I am finally a season-ticket holder. The Thunder hasn’t had fans in the building since March of 2019, and I for one could not be more excited. Yes, it’s almost guaranteed to be another tank season, and I’m more likely to be in the building for a loss than a win, but I’m still pumped. The NBA announced the full schedule for the 2021-22 season Friday afternoon, so without further ado, here are the 10 games that I’m looking forward to attending the most (in chronological order):

OKC Thunder | Covid Contact Tracing Forces Thunder-Sixers Game Into Postponement

Zachary LowJanuary 17, 2021 No Comments Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers

Covid strikes again as Sunday’s matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers in OKC has been postponed. The postponement is due to…

OKC Thunder | Game #13 Preview: 76ers

Zachary LowJanuary 17, 2021 No Comments Al Horford Ben Simmons Danny Green Darius Bazley Dwight Howard Furkan Kormaz George Hill Isaiah Roby Joel Embiid Luguentz Dort Mike Scott Oklahoma City Thunder Philadelphia 76ers Seth Curry Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Tobias Harris Trevor Ariza Ty Jerome Tyrese Maxey Vincent Poirier

Tonight, the Thunder hosts the Philadelphia 76ers, who are 9-5 on the season despite dealing with a flurry of injuries and players being forced to sit due to health and safety protocols. Joel Embiid is out tonight, which benefits OKC, who has struggled to protect the paint this season.